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She stopped breathing again. Looking up at the man she loved about to enter her, was powerful—an experience to forever mark in her mind.

“Look at me, Colton.” Her voice was a soft plea. “Don’t look away.”

His dark eyes glittered with emotion. “I can’t.”

She rocked her hips up to meet him, and in one smooth glide, he filled her.

Need curled inside her like hot smoke. Digging her fingers into his hard shoulders, she tugged him closer. When he swiped his tongue across her lips, she issued a cry and opened to him.

In all ways.

That kiss dominated. He owned her body. Passion swept through her, dizzying her.

Out of control with the lust pounding through her system, she clutched him tighter.

As if he understood, he began to whisper in her ear. “I’ve got you.” He rocked his hips back, dragging his cock through her aching walls. “Let go for me. I’ve got you.”

“Colton!”

He stared down at her until her eyes blurred with tears. Then he swept in and claimed her mouth.

The flavor of him coupled with his hard thrusts overtook her. Out of nowhere, her orgasm struck.

Rising up on a swell of a wave, she rode the peak for pounding seconds. When she began to tumble down the other side, she felt her lover stiffen.

His muscles steeled. His body arched.

A long groan rumbled through his chest, and he began to soak her inner walls with hot cum.

Holding him closer, she rode out the waves of pleasure with him. Whatever switch had flipped in Colton, she felt the change. He wasn’t acting cold and distant or keeping her at arm’s length.

In fact, the opposite had been happening ever since they were stranded together in that storm.

His rough pants rasped in her ear. In a move only a capable man who’d served his country could perform, he pushed off her and rolled onto his back, taking her with him.

With her leg draped over his muscled thighs and her head pillowed on his rounded pec, she fought to catch her breath as well as summon some semblance of reality.

If only this feeling would last. If only he would stay.

But the people she truly cared about always left. First her mother, and then Forest. Ivy took off, dropping only the occasional text to let Meadow know that she was okay. And her father…well, he had been absent for a long time.

She truly was alone.

But she wasn’t alone tonight.

Smoothing her hand down Colton’s chest, she trapped any words of love inside. If she uttered a single declaration, he’d think her impulsive and flippant. The last thing she needed was for him to call her immature again.

“Your father stays away a lot, doesn’t he?” His question surprised her.

Lifting her head, she looked at him. From this angle, she had the perfect view of his chiseled jaw, firm lips and flawlessly carved nose set between the angled planes of his cheeks. Above that, his eyes were soft, dark pools.

“He’s been traveling more lately.”

“Is that typical?”

She rested her head on his chest once more. “It depends. There are plenty of auctions at this time of year when early calves are being sold. Since we have both cows and horses to sell, my father likes to get out and make connections that will earn the ranch the best bottom line.”

“I see.”